Pirate Water Taxi

After a stroll at Winter Village, hop on the Pirate Water Taxi to float down the Hillsborough River. The taxi runs from Armature Works to the brand new Sparkman’s Wharf and offers an all-day hop on/hop off pass for $20.

During the holidays, the water taxi offers a River of Lights Tour ($28) which features Christmas carolers, hot chocolate, and holiday cookies as you view lighted bridges and other surprises along the Hillsborough River. Many “s-elfies” have been taken in the tunnel of lights leading into the boarding area.

Tours run Thursday-Sunday and the entire week of Christmas, excluding Christmas Day.

Ybor City Christmas Tree

Hop off the Pirate Water Taxi at Channelside and take the streetcar, which is now free, down to Ybor City to view the Christmas tree at Centro Ybor.

Throughout the month, Ybor City hosts various holiday events, with a holiday parade featuring 15 bands and our beloved Mayor Bob Buckhorn on December 8th, 2018 and a Jingle Bell Bazaar on December 16th.

Winterland at The Godfrey Hotel and Cabanas

Experience winter in Florida at Winterland at The Godfrey Hotel and Cabanas and WTR pool which features the best sunset views in Tampa and a holiday pop-up bar, lights and cabanas fully decorated as holiday photo-backdrops. Winterland is free to attend and features events throughout the holiday season.

Marry Me Tampa Bay editor, Anna Coats, created Marry Me Tampa Bay in 2012 to showcase the area's best local weddings and vendors. She has been featured as a wedding expert on the national talkshow Daytime, Fox13, ABC Action News, Great Day Tampa Bay, and Bay News 9 (now Spectrum).